A DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10064, 4 February 1909, Page 4

A DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.

(Peb Press Association.) Dunedin, February 3. The inquest on the body of Samuel Lewis Brooks, who shot himself oil Monday night at Maori Hill, opened to-day. Elizabeth Margaret Cameron, mother-in-law of deceased, said her daughter had been married to deceased for about seven years. They lived together for about two years, but during the remaining five years lived separately. Deceased, "who "was a fireman on the Maheno, missed his passage at Wellington about January 19, and returned to Dunedin. Mrs Brooks was at that time in Auckland, and last Saturday she came down to Dunedin. After tea on Monday night angry words passed between deceased and his wife. Mrs Brooks was asking deceased for a ring of here, and deceased, using an oath, refused to give it to her. Mrs Brooks insisted on having it, and -witness went out to try and make peace between them. Deceased said to his wife, "I will divorce you,and their stated that he had been to see his solicitor that day. Her daughter replied' that he could divorce her, as she never intended to live with him again. He then threatened to strike her, and she retaliated w 7 ith a sneering remark, upon which he struck her, and pushed her against the scullery bench. Deceased then struck- her several times on the head, and she made no efforts to protect her face. AVitness went into the kitchen and asked her husband to separate them. He refused, saying lie would not interfere with man and wife. Witness then went back to the scullery, and.three revolver shots were fired. After the third shot was fired deceased fell.

Dr Hastings said that death was due to a bullet- wound. Witness did not think the fractures present in the head could have all been caused by a bullet, 'but the fall would account for them.

Evidence was also given by David Cameron, husband of Mrs Cameron. Notwithstanding that this witness was in the kitchen during the whole progress of the quarrel and while the shooting was going on, he made no effort to interfere or assist, but sat calmly on the sofa. His reasons for so doing were that he was frightened—anybody would be—and it- was only when tho whole business hjid: subsided that he ventured into the scullery. In the course of his evidence he said he heard three revolver shots fired in quick succession. He remained where he was, as he was frightened, and " had more sense than to run into the mouth of that?" Witness went out into the scullery when the shooting was over and the noise had subsided. He heard the shots and screaming and struggling, but throughout he remained where he was.

Sub-Inspector Norwood stated that Mrs Brooks was in a private hospital. A bullet had penetrated her cheek and had come out just under the eye. No one was allowed to see her, and she would not be available for the inquest for four days. The inquiry adjourned until Monday.